Africa’s pharma future: Ready for local manufacturing?

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has issued a waiver partially lifting the Trump administration’s freeze on foreign aid, potentially offering a reprieve for US-funded HIV/Aids programs that provide life-saving treatment. US President Donald Trump signed an executive order within hours of his inauguration on January 20 pausing almost all foreign aid for 90 days, pending a review to determine whether it was aligned with his policy agenda. To talk about Africa’s pharma future, CNBC Africa was joined by Stavros Nicolaou, Group Senior Executive at Aspen Pharmacare. Stavros discussed the importance of technology transfer for local manufacturing in Africa. In the early 2000s, licensing technologies and intellectual property allowed Aspen Pharmacare to lead the fight against HIV/AIDS. However, the current model lacks full technology transfer, necessitating a shift to make it more suitable for African needs. Stavros emphasized the benefits of managing pandemics locally to prevent economic and healthcare disruptions. Reflecting on the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, Stavros highlighted the need for self-reliance, advanced planning, and effective implementation in the face of outbreaks. He stressed the importance of Africa taking control of its healthcare capacity and not depending on external support in times of crisis. Despite challenges in addressing vaccine inequality, Stavros pointed out regulatory reforms and increased procurement from African companies as progress towards health security on the continent. Looking ahead, he urged for continued policy changes and collaborative efforts to enhance healthcare resilience in Africa.